When it comes to categorizing the most severe types of car crashes, the T-bone accident is in the top three. As a Miami car accident lawyer knows from experience, these collisions often cause severe injuries or loss of life among drivers and their passengers.

In this article, we will explain why side impacts (or T-bone crashes) are so dangerous and what to do to recover damages if you were injured in such a crash.

Explaining T-Bone Accidents and Their Impact on Driver and Passengers

A T-bone collision happens when one car crashes headlong into the side of another vehicle. Statistics show that this type of accident happens most frequently at intersections, when one vehicle runs a red light or does not yield right of way.

This collision often occurs at high speed, which explains its severity. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, passengers have the highest risk of death in this type of accident.

The risk is also increased by the direction of the T-bone accident:

• Far side: the crash happens on the opposite side to the passenger’s seat, resulting in a lower risk of death
• Near side: the impact occurs on the passenger’s side, resulting almost often in death or suffering catastrophic injuries

The Most Frequent Causes of T-Bone Crashes

Running a red light is the most common cause of side impact collisions, but not the only one. Speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are other instances of driver error which result in these horrific accidents.

Also, an experienced attorney may identify other contributory factors, such as:

• Vehicle malfunction
• Lack of synchronization of traffic signals
• Poor visibility of traffic signals due to overhanging tree branches or other obstacles

Identifying the factor that mostly contributed to the accident is essential for naming the liable party in your accident claim. Thus, if you were hurt in a T-bone collision, consult with a Miami car crash attorney before filing an insurance claim.

Steps to Take after a T-Bone Collision

Given the severity of this kind of accident, prompt action after a crash not only protects your legal rights, but may also save lives. Here are the thing you must do:

1. Check Passengers in Your Car and Report the Accident

Quickly evaluate the need for ambulances for you and the other people in your car. When you call 9-1-1 to report the crash, mention the number of people who appear to be severely injured.

This will allow the first responders to send an adequate number of ambulances and EMTs to give first aid and transport everyone to hospitals.

If you are also seriously injured, ask any passer-by to report the accident on your behalf.

2. Document the Crash Scene, If Possible

You should leave the car to talk to the other driver and take photos and videos of the accident scene only if you were not severely injured. Injuries to the head and spine can get worse if you move.

If there are other people in your car with less severe injuries, instruct them to use their mobile phone and capture image of:

• The injuries sustained by everyone in the car
• The positions of the vehicles after the crash
• The license plate of the other car (useful if the other driver decides to flee the crash scene)
• The damages to the car
• Skid marks, traffic signals and any relevant elements

3. Do Not Discuss Fault with Anybody

Everything you say after a car accident may have a negative impact on your future claim. The most dangerous statements are those about fault – either yours or the other driver’s.

You must not admit fault or blame the other driver in any verbal or written statement to:

• The police officers who investigate the crash scene
• The other driver
• The insurance adjuster assigned to your claim

4. Get Medical Assistance and Complete Your Treatment

Medical care, especially after a severe car accident, is expensive. But you must not delay seeing a doctor or voluntarily stop your treatment, no matter what. First of all, you must put your wellbeing first and give yourself the best chance of recovery.

Secondly, you do not want to give the insurance adjuster any argument to deny your claim. Failure to get treatment and the interruption of prescribed treatment are strong grounds for them to do so.

5. Talk to an Experienced Miami Car Accident Lawyer

Once you are in a stable condition and can leave hospital, start protecting your legal rights to obtain damages after a T-bone accident. To do this, get in touch with an experienced Miami car accident lawyer at our law firm.

The lawyer will handle your case with dedication and professionalism, leaving no stone unturned to find evidence supporting your claim and justify your damages.

We offer each new client a free case review, so call us to schedule yours at 786-686-2857!